This article is different — it’s for people who want a more capable travel camera system with interchangeable lenses, better low-light performance, full manual control and room to grow beyond a single fixed lens.

Travel moves fast — the moments you want to capture often happen once, and you don’t get do-overs. Choosing the right camera can mean the difference between a memory saved forever and a moment missed.
I’ve spent the last 15+ years shooting everywhere from quiet English villages to tropical beaches and crowded cities — using Fujifilm, Nikon, OM System, Sony and even medium format GFX cameras along the way.
In this guide, I’ll cut through the noise and share my real-world recommendations for the best travel cameras in 2026, tailored to different types of travelers and budgets. I’ve shot and owned every camera on this list so these are real recommendations based on real shooting.

What to Consider Before Buying

Choosing the right camera for travel isn’t just about specs — it’s about how the camera fits into your trip and your life. Here are the main factors I look for when deciding what to pack:

• Portability: You’ll carry it all day, often in hot, crowded, or rugged places. A lighter camera means you’ll actually bring it everywhere.
• Lens Ecosystem: The best camera is the one that can grow with you. Make sure there are lenses available for the type of photography you love most (wide landscapes, portraits, wildlife, etc.).
• Weather Sealing: Essential if you shoot outdoors — rain, dust, and humidity are part of travel.
• Battery Life: Always check real-world battery life. Some mirrorless cameras burn through batteries quickly, so bring spares. The ability to charge via USB-C and use powerbanks is increasingly useful.
• Image Quality: This includes resolution, dynamic range, and how the camera handles low light — but also whether it’s good enough for your intended output. There’s little point in hauling a 100MP medium format camera if your images will only live on Instagram.

Now that you know what to look for, here are my top picks for the best travel cameras in 2026 — covering every budget and travel style.

Best Overall Travel Camera— Fujifilm X-T5

In my opinion, the Fujifilm X-T5 combines the strengths of multiple cameras. When paired with Fujifilm’s compact Fujicron lenses, it’s really not much bigger than the X100VI — but you still get all the handling benefits of Fuji’s physical shutter speed and ISO dials, plus an aperture ring on most lenses. I put the X-T5 up against the Nikon Zf in a separate article to see how they compared.

The image quality is virtually identical to the X100VI, but there are some important benefits: the bigger NP-W235 battery means it lasts all day for casual shooting, it has dual card slots for peace of mind, and with many of Fuji’s f/2 lenses it’s actually faster to focus than the X100VI.

The big difference, of course, is flexibility. Being able to change lenses means you can create a system that suits you perfectly — from small, lightweight travel setups to pro-grade images with some of the most beautifully rendering primes on the market, like the 23mm f/1.4 WR , 33mm f/1.4 WR and 56mm 1.2WR. If you want to delve deeper, then these are the best Fuji lenses for travel photography or for a broader view, the best Fuji lenses in 2026 .

For me, the X-T5 strikes the best balance of any camera available right now in terms of size, flexibility, image quality, and enjoyment. It’s my most-used camera and, when I sold off all my gear last year to do a complete reset, this was the system I chose to base my personal shooting around. You can see why in my Fuji X-T5 full review.

It’s particularly good for photographing people thanks to Fuji’s film simulations, and with seven custom shooting modes available, I can set up multiple configurations and access them quickly from the Q menu. Honestly, if I could only have one camera for travel photography, this would be the one — it just does everything I need.

Are there downsides? Sure. The AF — which gets a lot of criticism online — still isn’t up to Sony’s level for fast action tracking, but it’s good enough for everything I shoot. Build quality is very good, though not quite as bulletproof as the next camera on this list but it’s stood up to everything I’ve thrown at it in South-East Asia and the Scottish Highlands.

Best Complete Travel System — OM System OM-3

If you want a complete, travel-ready camera that offers everything you could possibly need without hauling a bunch of accessories, the OM System OM-3 should be very high on your list. I discuss why I bought the OM System OM-3 here and you can find my full OM System OM-3 review here.

The OM-3 has the latest stacked Micro Four Thirds sensor, which allows it to focus and shoot extremely quickly. On a recent trip it easily tracked Sofia running down the beach. It’s small and light, so it doesn’t take up much room in your bag, and when paired with tiny, weather-sealed lenses like the OM System 17mm f/1.8 II, it offers excellent image quality in an unbeatably compact package.

Not only is this a beautiful-looking camera, it’s quick to use with enough custom buttons to adjust everything important without menu-diving. It looks retro but uses the faster PASM dial, combining classic aesthetics with modern usability. Yes, the sensor is smaller than the others on this list and has the lowest resolution at 20MP, but it’s still more than capable of producing images that will make you never want to rely on your phone again.

Where the OM-3 really shines is freedom — freedom to leave the tripod at home, freedom to forget physical filters, and freedom to shoot any subject you want thanks to its incredible computational modes: I talk about the things I already love about my OM-3 here along with the best lenses for travel photography with the OM-3 here.

• Handheld High-Res: Get 50MP files with improved color and noise performance (as long as your subjects are still).
• Live ND & ND Grad: Simulate long exposures without carrying filters.
• Live Bulb / Live View: See your long exposure building in real time so you know exactly when you’ve nailed it.
• Starry Sky AF: Perfectly focuses for astrophotography.
• In-Camera Focus Stacking: Create tack-sharp macro images without special software.
• Best-in-Class IBIS: Shoot at night with shutter speeds as low as 1–4 seconds — handheld.
• IP53 Weather Sealing: This is the only brand that gives IPX ratings. I’ve shot OM cameras through Scottish winters and Southeast Asian monsoons without issue.
• Pro Capture Mode: Pre-record frames before you fully press the shutter so you never miss the decisive moment.

The ability of the OM-3 to handle virtually any subject, in almost any condition, is something few cameras can match. Combined with the generally smaller lenses for Micro Four Thirds — everything from tiny kit zooms to professional lenses — it’s a camera that can go with you anywhere and shoot anything, from an Arctic expedition to street photography in Paris.

Downsides? Like all cameras, there are compromises. Low-light performance is about ½–⅔ stop behind Fuji APS-C and about 2 stops behind full-frame. It only has a single card slot, so use reliable cards. With heavier lenses, the grip can feel a little small, though that’s easily fixed with a small add-on grip. The viewfinder is an older 2.36M-dot panel, which is a compromise I’m personally willing to make in exchange for everything else this camera offers. It’s also a little expensive compared to some competitors — but there’s simply nothing else on this list that delivers this level of versatility, portability, and capability in one package.

Looking for a gift idea a photographer will actually use? My Best Gifts for Photographers guide is full of genuinely useful gear — not novelty junk.

Best Full-Frame Travel Camera — Nikon Z6 III

Remember back in the “What to Consider” section when I said image quality, handling, and lens choice were among the most important things to me? Those priorities are exactly why I picked the Nikon Z6 III — and why I’d argue it’s the best full-frame travel camera available right now. It is one of the few cameras that is great straight out of the box although adding a few key accessories takes it from great to nearly perfect. You can see the full Nikon Z6III review here. There is of course the Nikon Z8 which I compared to the Z6III but for travel the Z6III makes more sense.

In terms of size, it’s barely bigger than my OM System OM-1 Mark II, yet it packs a full-frame 24MP sensor that delivers some of the best image quality currently available. Not only is the image quality fantastic, it is fast to operate and shoots bursts up to 20FPS. The IBIS is excellent which gives you more flexibility when it comes to low light shooting and it offers a high quality EVF which is incredibly useful when shooting in sunny destinations.

What makes the Z6 III special is really the lens selection. While Nikon might not match Sony’s sheer number of lenses, the ones they do offer are absolutely ideal for travel photographers: small, light, and optically excellent. The 24-70mm f/4 and 14-30mm f/4 zooms are incredibly capable, and the 1.8 primes — like the Z 35mm f/1.8 — are among the sharpest, best-rendering lenses I’ve ever used, as I saw in my Nikon Z 50mm 1.8 review. I compared the Nikon Z 35mm 1.8 against the Nikon Z 50mm 1.8 to see which prime you should buy first.

They focus fast, are weather-sealed, and are built to last. Crucially, Nikon doesn’t force you to choose between cheap, compromised primes and huge, expensive pro glass — the Z-mount lineup gives you both portability and quality. I’ve personally bought into the 1.8 prime lineup with the 20mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm f/1.8 lenses, and they cover everything I shoot. The Z6 III with those lenses fits comfortably into my Peak Design Everyday Sling bag, and on bigger trips or more demanding shoots, I still have room to add the Z8 without feeling overloaded. Since I moved to Scotland at the start of the year, I have also found that I am shooting with zooms more often and some of them are proving to be amongst the best Nikon Z lenses available.

Another big factor for me is ergonomics. The Z6 III (and Z8) have the best handling of any full-frame cameras I’ve used. Every button is exactly where you expect it, the grip is extremely comfortable, and you get dual card slots — one of which is CFexpress Type B for fast bursts and robust video specs.

Speaking of video, not only is the Nikon Z6III one of the best cameras that you can buy today, it also includes truly excellent video specs. If you shoot hybrid, the Z6 III is a monster: 6K and 4k120 internal recording, high frame rates, and professional codecs. But even if you only shoot stills, you’ll appreciate its low-light performance (among the best on any full-frame camera), excellent IBIS (right up there with Panasonic), and its gorgeous 5.76M-dot EVF and top LCD panel. Nikon’s color profiles give you natural but punchy files straight out of camera.

Downsides? Some people argue its dynamic range isn’t as good as certain competitors, but unless you’re regularly pushing landscapes by three or more stops, you’ll never notice. Autofocus is excellent but not quite as sticky as Sony’s latest A7 IV/A7C II models, and I personally prefer a 3-way tilt screen for photography rather than the fully articulating one Nikon uses here.

Still, when you combine everything — the ergonomics, IBIS, low-light performance, and an almost-perfect travel lens lineup — the Z6 III is, in my opinion, the best full-frame camera for travel photography right now.

Best Alternatives – Nikon ZF

If you want a smaller, more discreet camera than the Nikon Z6 III that retains most of its strengths while offering a more stylish, tactile shooting experience, the Nikon Zf is it. It uses an older-generation 24MP full-frame sensor, but image quality is every bit as good as the Z6 III. It also shares Nikon’s latest EXPEED 7 processor, which means autofocus performance is very similar in real-world use. I compared the Nikon Zf against the Z6III in more detail.

I’ve been using the Zf a lot recently, and performance-wise it’s closer to the Z6 III than many people expect. The real difference is design philosophy. The Zf is a retro-styled camera with physical dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation, while still allowing you to shoot in aperture priority, shutter priority, or full auto when needed.

It’s not as comfortable to hold as the Z6 III due to the lack of a pronounced grip, and the second card slot is limited to microSD, which won’t suit everyone. If efficiency and ergonomics matter most, the Z6 III is still the better choice as a primary camera. But if you value the experience of shooting as much as the results, the Zf is an excellent alternative — and a brilliant backup body that offers a different, and often more enjoyable, way of working. Whichever camera you end up choosing, I’ve published my settings to help you get started with setting the camera up. Z6III settings guide and the Nikon Zf settings guide.

— Sony A7C II
If you want something smaller and lighter with even better autofocus and a huge lens ecosystem, the Sony A7C II is an excellent option. I previously owned the A7 IV (which shares the same internals), and it’s a fantastic camera with the best AF I’ve ever used. The trade-offs? The ergonomics are more cramped, the viewfinder isn’t as nice, and I don’t trust its weather sealing as much as Nikon’s. Sony’s 1.8 primes are cheaper and lighter but don’t quite match the image quality or build of Nikon’s Z-mount primes.

Best Value Full-Frame Travel Camera — Panasonic Lumix S5II

It would be hard to write this article without including one of the best-value full-frame cameras available: the Panasonic S5II (I personally own the S5IIX, which for stills is basically identical). I originally bought the S5IIX for video work, back before I switched my focus fully to this website — and yes, it has excellent video specs — but I think it’s hugely underrated as a stills camera.

The ergonomics are honestly among the best of any camera I own. Every button seems to be exactly where I expect it to be. The body feels solid yet remains relatively compact for a full-frame camera. What stands out most to me, though, is the image quality, which is excellent. High ISO performance is very strong (possibly a touch better than the Z6 III), and Panasonic’s color profiles are beautiful. The Natural profile produces realistic yet vibrant colors, and the black-and-white options — L Monochrome and Leica Monochrome — are stunning.

Autofocus, while not class-leading, is absolutely good enough for people and general photography. In my experience it’s about on par with the Z6 III, though I do wish Panasonic would show a box around the eye in focus rather than crosshairs. IBIS is arguably the best in any full-frame camera right now, and the dual card slots plus the ability to load your own creative LUTs (color porifles) into the camera make it a very flexible tool.

While Panasonic doesn’t offer the same breadth of lenses as Nikon or Sony, they’re part of the L-Mount Alliance (with Sigma), so there’s still plenty of choice. I really appreciate Panasonic’s thoughtful design: the three lenses I own — the 20–60mm, 50mm f/1.8, and 85mm f/1.8 — are all similar in size and share the same filter thread size. This means I don’t have to buy duplicate filters, and for video shooters, you wont have to re-balance your gimbal every time you swap lenses. The lenses are good performers, weather-sealed, and in my experience Panasonic’s sealing is trustworthy — I’ve used their Micro Four Thirds cameras in monsoons without issue. the build quality of the lenses is not quite up to the Nikon Z 1.8 primes i mentioned above but the benefit is that saves you a bit of weight while still getting good optical performance.

When you factor in the often ridiculously good deals available on the S5II and S5IIX (I got my S5IIX + lenses for around $2500) , you get a well-specced, well-designed, and very enjoyable full-frame camera at a significantly lower price than most competitors. For anyone wanting full-frame quality without breaking the bank, it’s a compelling choice.

Downsides? Honestly, there aren’t many at this price point, but I do find the camera a bit slow to operate. Startup time takes a moment, and even pressing the playback button introduces a slight delay before images appear. And outside of the often-discounted 20–60mm kit lens and the excellent 50mm and 85mm f/1.8 lenses, some of Panasonic’s other lenses are fairly expensive.

Best of the Best (Money No Object) — Fujifilm GFX100S

This next option isn’t specifically a “travel camera” — but if we even travel back just a few years, it would have been unthinkable to use a medium format camera for travel photography. And yet, with the GFX100S (which I own) — and now the Mark II version — we do, unbelievably, have the option to go all out and use medium format for travel.

Yes, it’s significantly heavier than the other cameras on this list, but I still use my GFX100S for travel when image quality is the absolute priority or I’m shooting a specific project and want the very best I can get. The body is about the same size as my Nikon Z8, very comfortable to hold with a solid grip, plenty of custom buttons, dual card slots (SD only), a top LCD for quickly checking settings, and a good viewfinder.

Personally, I wouldn’t pair this camera with zooms — they’re just too big — but there are primes that work well as a travel kit and keep things manageable. Lenses like the 45mm f/2.8, 50mm f/3.5, 55mm f/1.7, and 80mm f/1.7 are not that large and are certainly smaller and lighter than the pro f/2.8 zooms many people travel with on full frame.

The GFX100S offers a 102MP medium format (some argue not “true” medium format) sensor that’s 1.7× larger than full frame. It’s excellent in low light, gives you Fuji’s wonderful color profiles, and outputs 16-bit RAW files. For medium format, its autofocus is actually quite reasonable — no, it won’t follow your kids as they sprint down the beach, but for anything that isn’t moving at breakneck speed, it can keep up. (I presume the Mark II is even better, though I still need to test it.)

If you want the absolute best for a once-in-a-lifetime trip — perhaps Yellowstone National Park — traveling with the GFX100S is totally doable. The resulting image files will blow you away: you can print them as large as you want, crop aggressively, and know you made the photos the best they could possibly be.

People often talk about the “medium format look,” and without diving too far into technicalities, it’s real. The combination of better tonality and how focal lengths behave on a larger sensor gives images a unique look. If you want the best without paying $50,000 for a Phase One, Fuji offers it in a reasonably sized package without having to remortgage the house — maybe just sell a kidney.

Are there any downsides to the GFX100S? Well, there’s no getting around the fact that this setup is bigger and heavier than all the others here. You also need to consider where you’re traveling. You might not want to carry such expensive equipment — whether because of the risk of damage or loss, or simply not wanting to attract attention in countries where your gear might represent more than the average annual salary. Autofocus will mean you miss some shots, so if your style leans toward candid moments and capturing life as it happens, this won’t be a good choice. If you mainly post to social media, this is definitely overkill. And if you just want medium format without the bulk, there’s the recently released GFX100RF, which is essentially a medium format X100VI.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best travel camera isn’t about buying the most expensive one — it’s about picking the one that matches how you actually shoot and travel. If you want a pocketable camera, I’ve covered that separately in my Best Compact Cameras for Travel Photography 2026 guide. This page focuses on mirrorless/system cameras that give you room to grow — from the flexible Fujifilm X-T5 to full-frame bodies like the Nikon Z6 III and Panasonic S5II. And if image quality is the absolute priority, the GFX100S even makes medium format travel-viable.

Whatever you choose, the most important thing is to get out there and use it — the best camera for travel is the one you have with you when the moment happens. If you found this guide helpful and you’re planning to buy one of these cameras, using the links on this page helps support the site at no extra cost to you — and lets me keep creating in-depth, honest guides like this one.

Safe travels, and happy shooting.

FAQ — Travel Camera Systems Explained

And I get it — your phone’s already in your pocket, it’s small, it’s quick, and it’s probably the best it’s ever been.

But here’s the thing no one tells you: there’s a moment, somewhere between your first travel snaps and your tenth trip, when a phone’s limitations quietly start holding you back.

The tricky bit? Figuring out exactly when that moment arrives.

In this post, I’ll break down the real-world tipping points — the ones that make it worth carrying “a proper camera” — from casual weekend trips to once-in-a-lifetime adventures.

I put together an article on the best compact cameras for travel photography if you just want to see what to buy.

Why Phones Are Great — and Awful — for Photos

Like most people, my phone is always in my pocket. Last year Sofia and I went back to the UK to visit my mum, and on Black Rock beach in Wales we built a huge sandcastle — the kind she’ll always remember. When it came time to grab a few photos, I instinctively pulled out my iPhone 13 Pro instead of my “proper” camera.

For quick record shots, phones are great. Easy, convenient, and in good daylight the results look perfectly decent. With all the computational magic going on in the background, you don’t even need to think about exposure — just point, tap, done. That simplicity is why phones have taken over budget photography.

But let’s be honest — using a phone as a camera can be painful. In portrait mode I either jab the on-screen shutter (which feels like poking my finger somewhere I shouldn’t), or fumble the side buttons and switch the screen off by accident. Even when I hit the right one, I usually wobble the phone at the exact moment it takes the shot. Add in sun glare and the random times it decides I’m in video mode instead, and suddenly the “easy option” feels anything but.

Where Phones Start to Struggle

Whenever I look back at my phone shots, they’re instantly recognisable — the same flat lighting, the same sterile colours, the same point-and-shoot perspective. The phone makes too many decisions for you, and as soon as you look at the file on anything bigger than the phone screen, the weaknesses become obvious. Unless you deliberately go out trying to “prove” your phone can take great photos (as YouTubers often do), the results are almost always meh — dull, disposable images you’ll rarely revisit unless they’re tied to a fond memory.

But if a memory is that important, why wouldn’t I want to use a proper tool for the job? A dedicated camera lets me see clearly through a viewfinder, compose with intent, and come away with cleaner files that have real colour depth and tonality — files I can print large and proudly share.

Phones lean on computational tricks to cover their limits. HDR modes flatten contrast by rescuing highlights and shadows, but also rob you of creative control. Night modes perform wizardry that produces a bright image — but often one that looks nothing like what your eyes actually saw. And don’t get me started on portrait mode: it might work if you’ve got a shaved head like a fresh Marine recruit, but add real hair and you often end up looking like you’ve lost a game show and had a tub of jelly poured around your head.

Sure, phones can occasionally pull off a decent shot. But more often than not, the magic is missing — replaced with technically correct, but soulless results.

And that’s exactly where real cameras step in: they give you back the control, the depth, and the creative spark that phones can only imitate.

When It’s Time to Move Beyond Your Phone

Phones are brilliant for quick snaps, but when you’re travelling or documenting family moments, there comes a point where they start letting you down. You’ll feel it in moments like these:

Creative control on the road → You want to blur motion in a bustling Tokyo street or isolate your child against a dreamy mountain backdrop. Phones fake it with software; a camera lets you make it happen for real.

Low light dinners → You’re at a tiny restaurant in Rome, the table lit by nothing but flickering candles. You take out your phone and end up with a noisy, blurry mess. A camera with a proper sensor would have kept the warmth and detail.

Iconic landmarks → That once-in-a-lifetime shot of the Eiffel Tower or the Taj Mahal looks flat and dull because your phone’s tiny lens can’t capture the scene the way your eyes do. With a real camera, you get depth, clarity, and a print-worthy memory.

Candid family moments → Your kids are running on the beach in golden evening light. You fumble with your phone, tapping at the screen while the moment disappears. A camera with a viewfinder and responsive shutter would’ve nailed it.

Printing memories → On your phone, that shot of your child’s first time seeing the ocean looks fine. But when you try to print it for the wall, it falls apart. A camera file holds up and becomes something you can treasure forever.

The Real Upgrade: Lenses and Comfort, Not Just Camera Specs

Here’s the truth: moving from a phone to a “real” camera doesn’t mean you need to spend thousands chasing the biggest sensor or the latest flagship body. The real leap in quality comes from two things:

1. The glass you put in front of the camera
2. How comfortable you feel using it

A top-of-the-range full-frame camera with a cheap kit zoom will often give worse results than a modest Micro Four Thirds body paired with a sharp prime lens. A simple 25mm f/1.8 on an OM System camera or a 50mm f/1.8 on a Nikon Z6III will transform your images more than megapixels ever could.

Instead of obsessing over technical specs, ask yourself these questions when choosing your travel camera:

• Will I actually carry it with me day after day?
• Does it feel good in my hands, with controls that make sense to me?
• How do I want to see the world — wide and contextual, or tighter and more isolated?

For me, this became very real after a breakup. I left the UK and decided to sell virtually everything I owned. All the gear I’d collected over the years was gone, and I kept only one camera: the Fujifilm X100T. For over a year, that single fixed-lens camera was all I used. Far from feeling limited, it actually taught me how to see the world with that one focal length. I didn’t miss shots. In fact, the opposite happened — I learned how to anticipate, compose, and simplify, and my photography grew stronger because of it.

If you’re just starting out, a 35mm-equivalent lens is the perfect everyday companion. Prefer subject isolation? Go for a 50mm equivalent. From there, the classic three-lens travel kit is all you really need:

• 28mm or 35mm for storytelling and context
• 50mm for natural perspective and subject separation
• 85mm for portraits and detail shots

That’s it — three lenses that will cover almost everything, from family holidays to once-in-a-lifetime adventures. It’s exactly the foundation I use across all my systems today, and I only add more specialised lenses when I truly need them.

So, When Is It Actually Worth the Jump From Your Phone?

The answer isn’t about megapixels, sensor size, or whatever flashy spec is being shouted about this year. It’s about intention. The moment your photos mean more to you than simple record shots — when you want them to feel like photographs rather than quick snaps — that’s when it’s worth making the jump.

A dedicated camera changes everything. You look through a viewfinder, you see differently, you compose with care. You start to recognise light, moments, and stories in ways your phone simply can’t encourage. And when you pair even a modest camera with a great lens, your photos begin to take on a consistency and depth that transforms them from “just another snapshot” into a body of work that truly feels like yours.

So the upgrade point isn’t when your phone “isn’t good enough” anymore — it’s when your memories and your vision deserve something better. When you want photographs you’ll be proud to print, to frame, or to show your kids years from now. That’s when the jump matters.

If you’re curious about Fuji specifically (my own system of choice for much of my travel work), check out my breakdown of the the best Fujifilm cameras and lenses for travel photography — a practical guide to setups that balance portability, image quality, and storytelling flexibility.

A few years abroad. Some travel. A bit of life experience before I did the “normal” things people like me are meant to do — get a job, buy a house, settle down somewhere predictable.

That was the plan.

Until my first daughter was born in 2016.

Everything changed after that.

Not instantly. But slowly. Subtly.

I’d still look at living abroad as a phase, something I’d grow out of. And every time I travelled or lived somewhere new, I saw it through the lens of a Brit abroad — curious, appreciative, but always with the feeling that the UK was still better.

Less corruption. More freedom. Safer streets. Fewer deadly animals (yes, Australia — I’m looking at you).

It was always the place I’d return to.

⸻

I remember landing in Cebu years ago and hearing Oasis playing in the taxi from the airport.

It filled me with pride. A silly kind of joy. That was my country’s music. A sound from the 1990s that made me feel like home was still close, even from halfway around the world.

⸻

Even as Sofia grew up here in the Philippines, I kept telling myself we’d end up back in the UK eventually.

For the schools. For the NHS. For the opportunities.

In fact, during all the COVID madness, we actually moved back to the UK for two years.

But we didn’t stay.

We came back to our home here in Cebu.

And that’s when things really started to shift.

⸻

As I write this, I’ve just landed at Birmingham airport on what will likely be my final trip to the UK.

My return journey is next week.

So this trip is a kind of goodbye.

You see, I’m not travelling alone this time.

I’m flying back to bring my mum to live with us here in the Philippines.

⸻

We’ve always been incredibly close.

But since my dad passed away so suddenly in 2023, the distance between us has grown harder to live with. She’s getting older, and every year I’d make the trip home to spend time with her — no matter what else was happening.

That annual trip to the UK was my anchor.

It kept me tied to my roots.

To the version of me that never quite let go of the idea of “home.”

But that’s changed now.

She’s coming here.

To live near us. To be part of our daily lives. To be with her granddaughters as they grow up.

And while that brings me an enormous sense of peace and joy — it also brings a very strange kind of sadness.

⸻

Because it means I’m finally letting go of the idea that I’ll ever live in the UK again.

Not just for now.

But ever.

That’s a hard thing to wrap my head around.

To know that the country I grew up in — the place where my memories and friendships and old dreams live — is no longer where I belong.

⸻

The last time I was there, something felt different.

The country I once loved so fiercely just didn’t feel the same.

Maybe it changed. Maybe I did. Probably both.

But for the first time, I didn’t feel like it offered a better life.

Not for me.

Not for my daughters.

Not anymore.

⸻

Letting go of that felt like losing a friend.

Not in a dramatic or angry way — just a quiet sort of mourning.

I’ll never be Filipino. But in some ways, I’m no longer fully British either.

At least, not in the way I used to be.

Isn’t it strange how life twists like that?

How what we thought would be a chapter becomes the whole book?

Read More:

• One Natural Disaster Too Far — Why We’re Moving to Scotland
• The Week That Changed My Thinking — And Why the Nikon Z8 Now Feels Essential
• The One Habit That Transformed How I Photograph My Kids
• My Camera Doesn’t Just Save Memories — It Saves Me
• The Saddest Photo I’ve Ever Taken

As you read this, I’m making the 26-hour journey back to the UK.

I’m not going for a holiday. I’m going to bring my mum to live with us here in the Philippines.

⸻

My Nan got Alzheimer’s.

At first, it was just little things. Misplacing objects. Forgetting names. But we all knew where it was heading.

It’s a devastating illness to witness.

And quietly, it terrified my mum.

She never said it out loud, but I could see it — in the way she looked at her own mum, in the way she tracked the decline. Watching your own mother disappear like that, knowing it could be you next… is very scary and sobering.

⸻

Then my dad got motor neurone disease.

He was healthy. Walking. Driving. Laughing. And then he wasn’t.

From diagnosis to death in under two years.

That changed something in me — and I know it affected my mum deeply too.

Mortality had entered her generation.

It wasn’t theoretical anymore.

⸻

She lives alone back in the UK.

We’ve always stayed close, but for the past decade, I’ve lived in the Philippines with my wife and two daughters. And during a quiet conversation about a year ago, I saw something in her eyes. Fear. Uncertainty. Loneliness, maybe.

I told her — without hesitation —

“If you ever need care, I’ll fly back. You’ll never be in a home.”

She smiled, but it stuck with me.

Why should we wait for illness to start living closer together?

Why not now, while we still have time?

⸻

So I made a decision.

She mentioned she wasn’t happy in her current home. She was thinking of moving within the UK. I said:

“Come here. Move in next to us.”

We own two small houses on our land here. I used my savings to fully renovate the second one just for her. I wanted it to feel like a real home — not just a room to grow old in. My savings are gone, but the memories we can now make will last forever.

This week, I’m flying back to the UK to bring her here.

She’ll live just a few feet away from us.

She’ll get to see her only two grandchildren whenever she wants.

She’ll have a garden, sunshine, companionship, and the time with us she would’ve otherwise missed.

⸻

This wasn’t a sacrifice. It was a choice.

To rewrite the story before it became another goodbye.

To honor the time we still have, rather than mourn it when it’s gone.

⸻

I don’t know what the years ahead will bring.

But I do know this:

My mum will never grow old alone.

And I’ll never have to wonder if I should’ve done more.

⸻

And of course, I’ll be documenting this new chapter — not for the blog, not for Instagram — but for me. For her. For the girls. So that someday, when this story becomes memory, it won’t disappear.

Over the past 6 months, I’ve continued to shoot with both the Ricoh GRIV and Fuji X100VI both in the Philippines and now that I’ve moved, in the Scottish Highlands.

Most “best compact cameras” lists get rewritten every January with the same cameras shuffled around. This one doesn’t. Every camera below is either in my bag right now or something I’ve owned and used long enough to understand properly — the strengths, the compromises, and whether it actually makes sense for travel photography when you’re tired, moving quickly, or trying to keep up with your kids.

If you want the short version: these are the compact cameras that still earn their place in 2026 because they give you a real step up in image quality over a phone, without dragging you into the world of full systems and interchangeable lenses. However, if you’re deciding between a compact and a bigger setup, I’ve also compared the best mirrorless cameras for travel as well as writing an article on the best cameras if you’re just starting out.

For photographers looking at larger systems with lenses and more performance flexibility, I’ve written a guide to the best mirrorless cameras currently available and for those wanting to capture moments of their family, here are the best cameras for family photography.

Who needs a compact camera for travel photography these days, when smartphones are already in our pockets?

If you’re thinking that, you’re not alone — but smartphones, despite what you read, are simply not as good. Here’s why your phone camera isn’t good enough if you actually care about photography.

If you’re searching for the best compact camera in 2026, this guide is based on cameras I’ve personally owned and shot with (and one I’d love to because it’s too compelling to ignore).

I’ve got a few prints on my wall, and one of them makes me shiver every time I see it. It was taken on an iPhone 14 Pro, and even at just A3 size, it looks horrible. Plastic-looking skin and gaudy colours. Stepping up to modern Micro Four Thirds cameras such as the OM System OM3 or those with even larger sensors can be a huge upgrade to your photography. If you are looking for the best cameras for travel photography and not just compact cameras then I wrote a full article on that too.

So yes, smartphones are convenient. But if you actually care about your travel and family photos, then you probably — like me — want something that gives you better results, without lugging around a full camera bag and five lenses.

If you want to compare two of the best travel cameras then I put the Fujifilm X100VI vs the OM Systems OM-3 in this article.

Every camera I’m about to mention is one I currently own or have previously owned.

Well — except one. But it’s too good to leave out.

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I’ve personally used or would choose myself.

The best compact camera 2026: Fujifilm X100VI

Key Specs — Fujifilm X100VI

• 40MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor
• Fixed 23mm f/2 lens (35mm full-frame equivalent)
• 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS)
• Hybrid AF with subject & face/eye detection
• 3″ tilting touchscreen LCD
• 4K video recording (up to 60p)
• Compact, lightweight body (approx. 521 g)
• USB-C charging and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth transfer
• Hybrid optical / electronic viewfinder
• Battery: NP-W126S (approx. 450 shots per charge)

I own the X100VI and use it as my lightweight travel and family camera. It’s my pick for the best compact camera 2026. Even after the release of the Ricoh GRIV, I still choose the Fuji X100VI most of the time thanks to all the reasons I discuss below. For more details, see my full X100VI review and my X100VI vs GRIV comparison.

It’s earned its place for good reason. It’s small and light, offers a large APS-C sensor, and delivers 40MP of excellent image quality. The lens is a fixed focal length of 23mm (full-frame 35mm equivalent), which is a really flexible focal length. It’s wide enough to capture most scenes (important when you’re travelling to new places and want to take in the sights), yet not so wide that it distorts things and makes your kids look like they’ve been telling a lot of lies lately. (Pinocchio reference.)

I also featured it in my Best Fujifilm Cameras and Lenses for Travel Photography article — because frankly, it’s still one of the best all-in-one travel cameras you can buy.

The lens is bright at f/2, which means you can keep taking photos well into the evening and they still look good. You can also get great shallow depth of field when shooting your family to give your shots a professional look.

The JPEGs are among the best of any camera, so you won’t need to spend hours behind a computer screen editing your photos before they can be shown. And the camera can wirelessly send photos to your phone automatically or manually, so you can quickly share your travels with friends, family, or your adoring fans.

Autofocus is quick, and it has automatic face and eye modes that let you concentrate on composition. If you stick a lens adapter and filter on it, it’s also weather sealed — meaning dust, sand, and water are kept out.

The battery is good enough to use most of the day (although I’d always recommend a spare), and it takes cheap and readily available SD cards.

Overall: If you want one of the best cameras available for travel and family photos in a small and light package, this is a top choice. Just make sure to kit it out properly — I’ve listed my recommended accessories for the Fuji X100VI if you need a starting point. The only issue is that you might struggle to get one quickly — everyone else agrees, and they’re in short supply.

Where to Buy the Fujifilm X100VI

Best Pocketable Compact Camera 2026 – Ricoh GR IV

Key Specs — Ricoh GR IV

• 26MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• Fixed 18.3mm f/2.8 lens (28mm full-frame equivalent)
• 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization (IBIS)
• Hybrid autofocus with face detection
• Fixed 3″ touchscreen LCD
• Full HD video recording
• Ultra-compact, pocketable body (approx. 262 g)
• USB-C charging and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity
• Snap Focus mode for fast street shooting
• Battery: DB-120 (improved real-world endurance)

The Ricoh GR IV is the most recent compact camera release — and easily the most important one this year. On paper, I’ll admit I was initially a little underwhelmed by the specs. But once I stopped looking at what it added and instead focused on what the GR III was missing, the GR IV became far more compelling. I compared the GRIV against the GRIII in more detail.

In essence, it keeps everything that made the Ricoh GR III so appealing: a genuinely pocketable body and a large APS-C sensor that delivers excellent image quality. What it improves — and this matters — is usability as I found out in my Ricoh GRIV review.

Autofocus is significantly better in daylight. It’s now genuinely usable for everyday shooting, with reliable face detection that makes it far less frustrating when photographing people. This alone makes the camera feel more modern and capable than the GR III ever did.

Battery life is also much improved. In my testing, I took the GR IV to Dumaguete with just a single battery and managed to shoot all day with a bit of care. That would simply never have been possible with the GR III, where carrying multiple spares was essential.

Image quality has seen a subtle but welcome refinement too. The lens is a little sharper in the corners, and files look crisper and cleaner overall. In-body image stabilization has also been improved compared to the GR III, which helps when shooting stationary subjects in lower light and makes it easier to keep ISO under control.

There are still limitations. Autofocus struggles at night, and despite many people hoping for it, the GR IV doesn’t get weather sealing. The fixed rear LCD is unchanged too — perfectly usable most of the time, but a real challenge in bright daylight. Ricoh has tweaked a couple of rear buttons, which improves ergonomics slightly, but overall this still feels very much like a GR.

That’s not a bad thing. The GR IV feels like a faster, more confident, more modern version of the GR III — and that’s exactly what most people wanted.

The price has gone up compared to the GR III’s original launch, but that’s hardly surprising given rising costs across the board in recent years.

Overall, if you want the best pocket camera currently available, and you value something that works as a true everyday carry, the Ricoh GR IV is the strongest option right now. That said, it doesn’t make the GR III obsolete. If you can find a used GR III at a good price, it’s still well worth considering.

Where to Buy the Ricoh GR IV

Why the Ricoh GRIII is still worth considering

Key Specs — Ricoh GR III

• 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• Fixed 18.3mm f/2.8 lens (28mm full-frame equivalent)
• 3-axis sensor-shift image stabilization (IBIS)
• Hybrid autofocus (contrast + phase detection)
• Fixed 3″ touchscreen LCD
• Full HD video recording
• Ultra-compact, pocketable body (approx. 262 g)
• USB-C charging and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity
• Snap Focus mode for fast street shooting
• Battery: DB-110 (approx. 200 shots per charge)

If you want to save some money but still want a truly pocketable camera in 2026 then the Ricoh GRIII is still more than capable, especially as used prices will come down thanks to the release of the Ricoh GRIV. See my Ricoh GRIII review for more details and a direct comparison of the GRIII vs GRIV.

It is truly pocketable. And by that I mean jeans-pocket small. It’s actually smaller than most smartphones. Despite that, it still packs the same large APS-C sensor as the Fuji X100VI and offers a similar fixed-lens design — I compared the two in detail in this X100VI vs GR III article.

The lens gives you a slightly wider field of view — 28mm full-frame equivalent — which makes it even better for photographing cities, tighter spaces, or just trying to fit multiple children going in different directions into the same frame. With an aperture of f/2.8, it’s not quite as strong as the Fuji in low light, and it doesn’t offer the same level of shallow depth of field for that “pro” look, but the image quality is every bit as good.

The JPEGs are also excellent — no need to edit unless you want to — and the lens automatically retracts into the body when turned off, which keeps it protected. It’s not weather sealed, but because it’s so compact, you can easily slip it back into your pocket the moment the weather turns.

Battery life is pretty poor, though — definitely buy at least two spares if you’re planning a full day of shooting.

It’s worth noting that this is an older model, released back in 2019, so the autofocus isn’t quite up to the standards of newer cameras. It’ll lock onto stationary subjects just fine, but if you’re trying to capture fast-moving kids, look elsewhere.

That said, it has a useful trick up its sleeve — you can set it to pre-focus at a fixed distance (which you can customise), then stop down to something like f/8 and rely on depth of field to get nearly everything in focus. It’s quick, efficient, and works brilliantly in the right context.

Ricoh have also just released an updated GR app specifically for this camera series. It allows you to wirelessly transfer images to your phone and manage the camera remotely.

Buy this if you want the best image-quality-to-size ratio known to man (or at least to me), and don’t need blazing-fast autofocus. These cameras are so good for their size that I own one myself — and even bought the next camera I’m going to talk about for my 9-year-old daughter so we could enjoy photography together.

Oh — and it’s around 50% cheaper than the X100VI if you can stilll find one in stock.

Where to Buy the Ricoh GR III

Best Pocket Compact Camera Alternative – Ricoh GRIIIx

Key Specs — Ricoh GR IIIx

• 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• Fixed 26.1mm f/2.8 lens (40mm full-frame equivalent)
• 3-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS)
• Hybrid AF (contrast + phase detection)
• Fixed 3″ touchscreen LCD
• Full HD video up to 60 fps
• Compact, pocketable design (approx. 262 g)
• USB-C charging and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth transfer
• Snap Focus mode for fast street shooting
• Battery: DB-110 (approx. 200 shots per charge)

If you like everything about the Ricoh GR III but prefer a less wide lens than its 28mm equivalent, the GR IIIx is the one to get.

This is the camera I bought for my daughter, Sofia. The tighter focal length makes composing easier — you can concentrate on your subject without constantly fighting clutter creeping into the edges of the frame (something that happens a lot with wider lenses when you’re learning).

The 40mm equivalent field of view is close to how scenes feel to the human eye, so photos look natural. It also lets you create a bit more shallow depth of field than the GR III, which helps people shots pop and generally flatters faces more than 28mm does.

Otherwise, it’s basically the same camera: same sensor, same pocketable size, same excellent image quality, same retracting lens, same poor battery life (buy spares). That’s the beauty of the GR system — pick your focal length.

Between the GR III and GR IIIx, Ricoh have covered the two most popular everyday viewpoints: wide-ish (28mm) for environments and tight spaces, and normal-ish (40mm) for people, detail, and general travel.

And here’s a fun thought: for the price some scalpers are charging for a Fuji X100VI, you could buy both the GR III and GR IIIx — giving you two APS-C pocket cameras and both focal lengths, all taking up hardly any room in your bag or even your pockets.

Where to Buy the Ricoh GR IIIx

Most Flexible Lightweight Travel Camera – Sony RX100 VII

Key Specs — Sony RX100 VII

• 20MP 1″ stacked CMOS sensor
• 24–200mm f/2.8–4.5 equivalent zoom lens
• Optical SteadyShot image stabilization
• Fast hybrid AF with Real-time Eye AF & tracking
• Pop-up 2.36M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
• 3″ tilting touchscreen LCD
• 4K30p & Full HD up to 120fps video
• USB-C charging, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth connectivity
• Compact pocketable body — ~302 g
• Battery: NP-BX1 (approx. 260 shots per charge)

If you like the idea of a truly pocketable camera but want a zoom lens for flexibility, then the Sony RX100 VII is a great choice — one that I actually bought a few years ago and let Sofia use as her first-ever camera. She was a bit too young then to really appreciate what she had so we sold it on after a few months. However, in that time I got to use it and was impressed.

It offers a smaller 20MP 1″ sensor, so it doesn’t quite deliver the same image quality as the Fuji X100VI or the Ricoh GR cameras. But it’s still significantly better than a smartphone. Low light performance is decent for the sensor size, though again, you’re compromising compared to the larger APS-C sensors found in the other cameras on this list.

However, where you lose a bit of image quality, you gain massively in flexibility thanks to the 24–200mm f/2.8–4.5 lens. It’s frankly incredible that Sony managed to squeeze a lens of this range into such a tiny body. It allows you to shoot wide-angle landscapes one moment and nearly reach wildlife territory the next. That kind of flexibility means you’ll rarely miss a shot — at least not because you’ve got the wrong lens on.

The autofocus in the RX100 VII is also genuinely impressive, with excellent subject and face tracking. Despite being an older camera, the AF is probably the best on this list.

You also get a clever pop-up EVF. It’s not amazing, but it’s better than nothing — especially when shooting in bright sunlight where the rear LCD becomes hard to see.

As with the others on this list, the Sony offers USB-C charging, wireless image transfer, and in-body image stabilization.

Where to Buy the Sony RX100 VII

Best Premium Compact Camera – Leica D-Lux 8

Key Specs — Leica D-Lux 8

• 17MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor
• 24–75mm equivalent f/1.7–2.8 zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 2.36M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
• 3″ fixed LCD screen
• 4K30p & Full HD video recording
• USB-C charging & Leica FOTOS app connectivity
• Bluetooth & wireless image transfer
• Compact premium body — ~403 g
• Battery: BP-DC15 (approx. 300 shots per charge)

If you want to be part of that exclusive red dot club (and let’s face it, who doesn’t), the Leica D-Lux 8 offers you the chance at a much lower cost of entry.

It’s a compact camera that uses a 17MP Micro Four Thirds sensor — larger than a 1″ sensor but smaller than APS-C — and a bright f/1.7–2.8 24–75mm equivalent lens. That combination gives you very good performance in most situations, and the zoom range covers everything from wide-angle landscapes to short telephoto portraits.

It’s smaller than the Fuji X100VI while offering nearly as good image quality, but thanks to that zoom lens, it’s considerably more flexible.

What makes this interesting to me personally is that I used Micro Four Thirds cameras for a long time, and with a relatively bright zoom like this, I know this camera will be incredibly flexible while still delivering very good image quality. At f/2.8 on the long end, the lens can still create some shallow depth of field to isolate portrait subjects. And at f/1.7 on the wide end, it’ll perform well enough in most low-light situations.

The size and lens could honestly make this the best compact on the list.

The only real question is whether it’s worth the $1,595 asking price. My instinct says yes — but since this is the only camera on the list I haven’t owned (yet), I need to try one to be sure.

Buy this if you want the most flexibility in a small package with better image quality than any 1″ sensor can offer. The usual Leica style and handling will no doubt add to the overall shooting experience.

Where to Buy the Leica D-Lux 8

In the end, the best travel camera is the one you’ll actually carry and enjoy using. For me, that’s often the Fuji X100VI — but I’ve loved using all of these for different reasons. Whether you’re after the stealth of a GR or the flexibility of the Sony, there’s something here that will help you make better memories — and better photos. This article will help you decide if it’s time to upgrade to a proper camera from your phone.

Drop a hint: share my Best Gifts for Photographers list with the people buying for you this year — they’ll thank you for making it easy.

Instead, it provides a direct, intuitive way to document life as it happens. This aspect of the Fuji X100Vi really helped me to focus on my photography while on a trip to Devon recently and it’s one of the reasons I featured it in my guide to the best Fuji cameras and lenses for travel photography in 2025.

Fuji X100Vi: A Fixed-Lens Approach to documentary photographs

The Fuji X100Vi comes with a 23mm f/2 fixed lens, offering a 35mm equivalent focal length that many photographers find ideal for storytelling. This fixed lens does more than just limit choices; it encourages you to be fully present in your surroundings, knowing that you don’t have to worry about changing lenses or adjusting your gear. With just one focal length, you start to see the world differently, developing an intuitive sense of how each frame will look through the lens. This approach aligns perfectly with documentary photography, where capturing a scene’s authenticity is far more important than technical perfection.

As you get familiar with this focal length, compositions and perspectives start to come naturally. The constraints of a single lens push you to experiment with positioning, angles, and depth, ultimately enhancing your creative eye. You begin to recognize patterns, notice the subtleties of light and shadow, and instinctively capture moments as they unfold. This focus on storytelling through a single perspective is what makes the X100Vi an exceptional tool for documentary and travel photographers alike.

Compact and Unassuming: Blending Into the Scene

In documentary photography, the ability to capture genuine, unguarded moments is invaluable. The Fuji X100Vi’s small size and understated design make it perfect for this purpose. Unlike larger DSLR setups, which can be intimidating or disruptive, the X100Vi’s compact form allows photographers to blend into their surroundings. Its unassuming look makes it less likely to draw attention, enabling photographers to capture scenes without disturbing the natural flow of events. I’ve slimmed down my photography kit these days and have a great compact setup which you can see here.

Moreover, the camera’s leaf shutter is nearly silent, adding another layer of discretion. Whether photographing people on a busy street or capturing quiet moments indoors, this silent shutter helps maintain the scene’s authenticity, which is crucial in storytelling work. The X100Vi doesn’t demand attention, making it easier to capture real-life interactions and the nuances of everyday life.

Built-in ND Filter and Leaf Shutter: More Control in Every Condition

Two features that truly elevate the X100Vi for documentary photography are its built-in ND filter and leaf shutter. The built-in 4-stop ND filter allows you to shoot at wide apertures, even in bright daylight, which can add a beautiful separation between subject and background. This capability is especially useful in travel photography, where I am often in sunnier parts of the World.

The leaf shutter also enables high-speed flash sync up to 1/2000s, a unique advantage for a compact camera. This feature allows photographers to balance natural and artificial light easily, making it perfect for backlit portraits or scenes with complex lighting. Combined, these features provide a level of control that’s rare in compact cameras, giving documentary photographers more creative options without needing additional gear.

JPEG Quality: Shoot and Share Without the Hassle of Editing

One of the standout aspects of Fuji cameras is their outstanding in-camera JPEG processing. The X100Vi is no exception, featuring Fuji’s signature film simulations that produce beautiful images straight out of the camera. For photographers who prioritize storytelling over post-production, this is a game-changer. The X100Vi’s Classic Chrome film simulation, in particular, delivers muted tones and a cinematic feel, making it ideal for documentary work.

Because the camera produces such high-quality JPEGs, I often find I don’t need to use the RAW files, saving time and potentially storage. This emphasis on in-camera quality aligns perfectly with the philosophy of documentary photography—capturing the moment as it is, with minimal alteration. By reducing the need for post-processing, the X100Vi enables photographers to focus on shooting rather than editing, making it a perfect tool for photographers who want to stay present in the moment.

Documentary photography and Weather Sealing: Built for Real-World Conditions

Documentary projects often lead us to unpredictable environments. With the addition of a UV filter on the X100Vi’s lens, the camera becomes weather-sealed, adding a layer of protection against the elements. Whether you’re shooting on a windy coastline, in light rain, or in dusty conditions, the X100Vi can withstand a variety of climates. For travel photographers, this feature is invaluable. It allows you to shoot in diverse environments without worrying about damaging your equipment, so you can focus on your project instead.

The Fuji X100Vi as a Creative Partner

Ultimately, the Fuji X100Vi goes beyond its specs to become a true creative partner for photographers who value storytelling. By removing the complexities of interchangeable lenses, offering top-tier JPEG quality, and allowing me to blend into any setting, the X100Vi allows me to focus on what matters: capturing the world around me authentically. Its timeless design, reminiscent of classic film cameras, puts me in the right mindset for storytelling, helping me to approach my work with intention and focus.

For anyone looking to document real moments and tell impactful stories, the Fuji X100Vi offers a unique blend of simplicity, power, and reliability. With its thoughtful design and feature set, this camera proves that sometimes, less really is more.

Conclusion: More Than Just a Camera

The Fuji X100Vi for documentary photography is more than just a tool; it’s an invitation to slow down, to see, and to truly connect with each scene. Its features encourage photographers to be present, to focus on the story rather than the settings, and to capture images that resonate with authenticity. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an enthusiast, the Fuji X100Vi offers a refreshing approach to photography, reminding us that sometimes, the best way to capture life is through simplicity.

However when I don’t have a tripod with me I always notice that I miss shots and that I don’t work as hard at my compositions. Therefore I have spent quite a lot of time researching the best travel tripods available and have now been using the Manfrotto BeFree Advanced travel tripod for a couple of years.

 

I thought it was about time that I reviewed the tripod so please check out my latest video review over on my Youtube channel

As many of you will know I have been living in the Philippines for about 3 years now. I first visited these beautiful islands in 2006, attracted by the natural beauty and friendly reputation of the people here.

With the fairly recent election of President Duterte and his infamous ‘war on drugs’ many people ask me if it is still safe to travel to the Philippines.

The simple answer to that is yes but as with anywhere in the World you should keep your whits about you and follow some basic rules so that you know how to travel safely in the Philippines.

The Philippines is made up of over 7000 exotic islands and almost all are what I would consider safe to travel to.

The only exception to this is the south western side of the island of Mindanao in the south around the area of Zamboanga where there is a heightened threat of kidnapping of foreign nationals by Muslim groups such as Abu Saayef.

Make sure to check out your countries Foreign office website to keep up with the latest travel warnings.

I find the British and American websites to offer the latest and most up to date travel advice within the Philippines. You can find links to their page below:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office 

United States Embassy travel warnings 

What is the situation on the ground?

I live in Cebu province and as you can see from the map above even the southern end of this island is subject to a travel warning. I regularly travel in the south of Cebu province and get the ferry over to Dumaguete on the next island of Negros oriental. Sometimes there are armed guards around the port and sometimes there aren’t. When travelling int he Philippines don’t be alarmed at the sight of armed security guards, armed police and even seeing soldiers at various ports and places as this is quite normal. These people are here for your protection and as you become used to the way of life here it becomes something that you simply accept and don’t notice in every day life.

I can honestly say (coming from a fairly normal UK city) that I feel safer in the Philippines than I do on a Friday night in the city centre of most UK cities. I have never once got in to trouble with a local and by and large the people here are incredibly friendly, respectful and hospitable.

I was living here before Duterte came in to power and nothing has changed on the ground in terms of everyday life.

If you do as you would do in your own country and stay away from drugs, avoid drinking heavily and act respectfully towards people then unless you are very unlucky you should not have any trouble when travelling in the Philippines.

The few problems I have seen are in my mind usually avoidable. ie guys get into fights when they are drunk at 3am in the morning and wander in to the wrong part of town. Well that could be true of any country that I have ever visited.

How to stay safe in the Philippines

Here are a few basic tips to minimise the risk of getting in to any trouble when you are here.

1. When you arrive (presumably at Manila) be aware that as a foreign tourist you will be targeted by taxi drivers as you exit the airport. Some of these guys are trying to take advantage of the fact that you are new here and don’t know the cost of getting to your hotel or destination. They will try and charge you 1000 pesos for a journey that when metered is only a couple of hundred pesos. The easiest way to avoid these guys is to simply say no thank you I will get a metered taxi. Once they realise that you know this is an option they will usually move on to someone else. The metered taxis all line up outside the airport and you will know where they are because all the Filipinos get them. If you are unsure just ask one of the many guards and they will show you.
2. The nicest areas of Manila are BGC (Bonifacio Global City) with lots of expats , restaurants and a very safe atmosphere. In particular Mckinley Hill is lovely. Makati which is the business district, offers lots of high end accommodation and again is pretty safe.
3. Don’t look like a victim and you are unlikely to be one. Be confident when in the Philippines because most people will be happy to help you to find your way around.
4. Don’t show off your expensive camera, watch, jewellry etc. This goes without saying when you are visiting any country in my opinion and is just common sense. If you don’t show your wealth then you will not attract the attention of thieves and pickpockets.
5. Use some of the local language and you will immediately find that Filipinos open up and are happy that you made the effort to learn a little bit of their native tongue. Smile and throw in a few words of Tagalog (in Manila) or Bisaya (if in the Visayas) and you are already seen in a more favourable light compared to English only speakers. Whenever I jump in a taxi I always greet the taxi driver with muxta po (in Tagalog) or muxta Kuya (Bisaya) (both pronounced Musta) meaning how are you brother or friend. This has two benefits. It shows that you make the effort to know a little of the language and it also makes the taxi driver aware that you perhaps know a little of the language and culture. In turn this makes them less likely to try and rip you off.
6. In the Philippines as a foreigner you will often be offered an alcoholic drink by locals wanting you to join their group. Smile have fun but don’t drink what they offer you unless you know these people or are with a local friend who knows them. In general it is most likely harmless and simply a kind offer of hospitality. However there are 2 reasons why I don’t like to do this. First is that you don’t know what is in that drink you are being offered. It may be drugged (highly unlikely but still). Secondly if you get drunk with a bunch of guys that you don’t know then it may just be tempting for them to relieve you of your money, wallet, valuables. In Cebu smile and say dli ko, salamat (I dont want it, thank you). Just be pleasant and make light of it and you will always get a smile back.
7. Don’t overpay for things in the Philippines. Yes everything can seem cheap when you come here but remember that you will be much more respected by Filipinos if you pay the going rate for something than if you keep getting ripped off. See what the locals pay and if you are feeling generous add a small tip. For example if someone helps you to carry your bags from the taxi to a bus etc a Filipino might give a 5-10 pesos tip. If you pay over the top for everything then you put the price up for local people.
8. Don’t give money to beggars. They are often part of a gang working the streets. They will carry babies, make hand gestures as if to say I need to feed my baby and basically do anything to make you feel guilty. I never give money to beggars because once you do (and this has happened to me) a whole load more will suddenly appear as they tell their friends that foreigner just gave me x amount of money. If i like the person and they seem genuine I will buy them something to eat.
9. Just use your common sense and don’t do something or go somewhere that you wouldn’t when in your own country. That is easily the number one piece of advice here. Use your instincts as they are normally right. If you wouldn’t walk down a dimly lit street at night in your home town then don’t do it here.
10. Don’t get scammed on a dating website. If you meet a girl and within hours she is telling you that she loves you, her mum is sick, she is a student but can’t afford to finish the course or she would love to talk more to you but she needs load for her cellphone, let those alarm bells go off in your head loud and clear. She IS intending to scam you for as much money as possible. Do not send money online to people that you don’t know. Or if you are going to then send it to me instead

Most of all when planning your trip to the Philippines if you stick to the above advice and use your common sense then I am sure that you will have a fantastic, safe trip. It really is a beautiful country and the people rightly have a reputation as among the most friendly and hospitable in the World.

As I live and work here this post is the first in a series of blogs that I will be writing about the Philippines. Upcoming articles will include some of the best places to visit along with blogs about my families travels here.

I would love to hear any tips from you about travelling safely in the Philippines or anywhere else. Have you already visited the Philippines or maybe you live here and have some great tips for other readers. Please add them to the comments below.